Financial Times FT.com

Helicopter shortage ‘puts UK troops at risk’

By Jeremy Lemer

Published: July 16 2009 12:48 | Last updated: July 16 2009 12:48

A shortage of helicopters is preventing commanders in Afghanistan from undertaking important operations and forcing them to use more dangerous land based supply routes vulnerable to roadside bombs, according to a group of MPs.

In a sharp attack on current policy, the House of Commons defence committee said the lack of helicopters was having “adverse consequences” on current operations and, would “severely impede the ability of the UK armed forces to deploy” in future.

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